2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest: Joey Chestnut Returns

Nothing is certain except death, taxes, and Joey Chestnut winning Nathan’s Famous 4^th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. After a one-year absence, Chestnut said on Monday he'll be back at Coney Island on July 4th scarfing hot dogs. 

"This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life," Chestnut said on social media. A 16-time champion, Chestnut has dominated his field like no other "athlete" in the 21st century. The return of Chestnut should see a surge in betting on the Nathan's contest at legal online sportsbooks. 

"While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs. To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with," Chestnut said. "I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I’m grateful we’ve been able to find common ground. I’m excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!"

Where Can I Bet On The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?

That means trouble for the other eaters in the men's competition. 

Wagering on the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is legal in the following states: 

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Washington
• Wyoming

It's offered by most books. Most have limits on the size of wagers that will be accepted due to either state or house rules. 

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest - 2025 Men’s Odds 

(These odds are not yet available on legal sportsbooks in the United States and are listed here for entertainment purposes only.) 

Patrick Bertoletti was a first-time winner of the Mustard Belt last year with 58 hot dogs and buns. Miki Sudo chewed up the field for her 10th women's title, eating 51 hot dogs and buns.

On Labor Day Weekend of 2024, Chestnut's set a world record during his "Unfinished Beef" one-on-one showdown with Takeru Kobayashi by eating 83 hot dogs to Kobayshi's 67. 

In 2000, Japanese eater Kazutoyo Arai won the contest by eating 25 1/8 hot dogs in 12 minutes. In 2001 the contest changed forever, when another Japanese eater named Takeru Kobayashi shattered the world record by eating 50 hot dogs. Kobayashi dominated for several years until finally meeting his match when  Chestnut set the new world record at 66 hot dogs eaten in 2007. Since then, only Matt Stonie (2015) has defeated Chestnut. 

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest - 2025 Women's Odds 

(These odds are not yet available on legal sportsbooks in the United States and are listed here for entertainment purposes only.) 

Since her debut in 2014, Miki Sudo is still undefeated, and the second-place finishers haven’t come close. Only two contestants appear to have a glimmer of hope in dethroning Sudo: Michelle Lesco (+2500 in 2024), who won the title in 2021 when Sudo was out due to her pregnancy and Mayoi Ebihara (+750 to win in 2024), who ate 33.5 hot dogs in her 2023 debut. 

In 2019, Sudo only ate 31 hot dogs to claim the win. If Ebihara can take a step forward or Lesco could match her career-best and catch Sudo on an “off” day, this competition could be much closer than the odds indicate.